MARTIN, Tenn. - The fourteenth annual Purchase Area Charity Horse Show got underway on April 5, 2002 at the West Tennessee Agricultural Pavilion on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The event is sponsored by the Purchase Area Horseman’s Association. Proceeds benefit the Lion’s Club Telethon.
The chilly temperatures that prevailed both Friday and Saturday night didn’t stop the walking horse exhibitors and fans who attended the two spring shows held each year in the city of Martin. The Purchase Area Show and also the Martin Racking and Walking Classic held on Saturday night, each drew 250 entries.
Carl Bledsoe judged the Purchase Area’s nineteen walking classes. Steve Eli served as announcer. Jimmy Cole and Thomas Garland handled the duties of ringmaster. Brian Perry provided musical entertainment on the keyboard. Show chairman Jimmy Faulkner and Thomas Garland along with their dedicated show committee coordinated a successful event.
Coin’s Storm Warning and Jeff Sanderson presented the colors. In the first class of the evening, the Two-Year-Old Mare and Gelding class, Brad Davis rode Santana’s April to a blue ribbon debut for owner, Cindy Stewart. This was the first of three blues earned by Whitter Stables entries. Rebel’s Knight and Johnny Caviness were in the winner’s circle following the Amateur Specialty class for Caviness and Stewart. Pushover’s Titan and Wilsene Moody were crowned Four-Year-Old Amateur champions.
Entries trained by Formac Stables in nearby Union City, were the recipients of five Purchase Area titles. Cartier’s Prime Time and Dan Waddell caught the judge’s attention in the Two-Year-Old Stallion class. The evening’s final class, the Walking Horse Stake saw Jimmy McConnell and I’m A Five Star General make the victory pass to claim the Purchase Area tricolor. Both of these contenders are owned by Mr. and Mrs. Odell McConnell. Scooter Jones and Mystery Woman scored an impressive victory in the Amateur Park Pleasure class for Mary Medina. Jimmy McConnell returned to claim the Three-Year-Old Open title aboard Secret Sky for Royal Old Farm. Winning the blue in the Two-Year-Old Amateur class was Twisted Dollar and Stacy Blackburn for Formac Stables.
Southern Serenity Ranch earned three blues at Martin. Pusher’s Bustin’ Time and Billy Crockett were victorious in the Spotted Saddle Horse Open class. Cotton’s Medicine Man and Lauren Hamilton were winners in the Amateur Spotted Saddle Horse Trail Pleasure class. Olympic Angel and Jenna Hamilton were at the top of the judge’s card in the Amateur Country Pleasure class for Marilyn Staley Freidman.
Dual blues were received by Eddie Barclay Stables. Eddie Barclay and The Stargazer were in winning form in the 15.2 and Under Open division for owners Steve and Susan Frank. Double Shot Of Gen and Bobby Barclay made the familiar ride to the winner’s circle in the Amateur Show Pleasure Specialty class.
Receiving the title of Juvenile 11 and Under champion was Favorite’s Sassy Sunday and Luke Sanderson. Hytone’s Buster Brown and Tyler Herndon took the Juvenile 11 and Under class under the direction of Whitter Stables.
City General led the Three-Year-Old Amateur class with Kyndra Foster in the irons for Harold and Sherry Roberts.
Stormy’s Black Rain and JIm Sullivan were the recipients of another blue in the Amateur Owned and Trained class. Big Guy Design with patty Marek directing took top honors in the Ladies Amateur Specialty class. Pride’s Flapjack and Lillian Gaines made a good ride to add another title to their resume of blue ribbon performances in the Amateur Open class.
For the complete show story, see the printed edition of Walking Horse Report dated April 15, 2002.